I Love You, California is the official state song of California, written in 1913 by Francis Bernard Silverwood and composed by Abraham Franklin Frankenstein. It was named the state song in 1951 and became official in 1988. The song has a rich history and was performed by Mary Garden in 1913 and played on the SS Acron in 1914. Despite competition from California, Here I Come, I Love You, California remains an official state song, with the possibility of additional state songs.
The official state song of California is I Love You, California. Written in 1913 by a Los Angeles clothing merchant named Francis Bernard Silverwood, the process of making it the state song of California did not begin until 1951. The state legislature introduced and passed a resolution on April 26, 1951, naming I Love You , California as the state song. In 1988, California government code 421.7 made it the official state song.
The lyrics to I Love You, California were written by Silverwood, but the score was composed by the conductor of the Opheum Theater Orchestra at the time, Abraham Franklin Frankenstein. Prior to serving as California’s state song, the song enjoyed wide public appeal and was featured on numerous historic occasions in California.
In late 1913, Mary Garden, a Chicago Grand Opera star, became the first person to perform the song for a public audience. News reports of the time credited Garden’s performance with the success and popularity of Silverwood’s song. Another historic occasion came with the completion of the Panama Canal. As the SS Acron became the first cargo ship to sail the finished channel, I Love You, California played from the deck. By 1915, the song had become the official song for expos held in both San Diego and San Francisco.
With a rich history of close association with the state, it’s understandable that I Love You, California should become California’s state song. However, the song has had stiff competition over the years for the status of an official state song. Many people mistakenly believe that California, Here I Come, written and composed by Buddy DeSylva and Joseph Meyer in 1921, is the state song of California. Since legendary entertainer Al Jolson recorded the song in 1924, many residents, civic groups and legislators have suggested him as a candidate.
Although California Government Code 421.7 legally made I Love You, California the state song of California, the wording of the code does not make it the only state song. Specifically, the statute states that I Love You, California is an official state song, rather than the official state song of California. This wording allows for the addition of additional state songs.
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